When I heard Brian Cashman’ STFU comment I figured that, maybe, he said something he thought was off the record but really was on the record. And that, as a result, if he got in hot water for it, part of his and the Yankees’ statement and/or apology would involve saying that those comments weren’t meant for public consumption. And that’s the real problem, right? That Cashman was being rude and profane about an employee in the media?

As is typical for reporters and the newsmakers they regularly cover, conversations have elements that are both on and off the record, so [Andrew] Marchand clearly asked Cashman how he wanted to respond on-the-record.

Marchand said: “One thing was very clear. Cashman was not happy with Rodriguez’s tweet. When I asked for his on-the-record response, he replied with the quote that’s become the major thrust of this story, and then he hung up the phone.”

So, what do the Yankees say? If it’s anything besides an apology it’s not good enough.

If there is an apology, it will probably be for the use of profanity. I sincerely doubt that there will be any apology for the content of what was said. That the Yankees organization is getting a little tired of the prima donna ways of A-Rod isn’t really that big a secret.

I’m with everyone else that thinks Alex Rodriguez did nothing so terrible. He had just got some good news. He made a little comment about it. The end. Cashman cussed out his player to the media over something not only trivial but also something he’s let other players slide on. If Brian Cashman doesn’t try and make this better he deserves a good kicking. Rodriguez has nothing to apologize for.

Whether or not A-Rod is the biggest diva in the world, Cashman was out of line. There were tons of other ways he could’ve worded his phrase without sounding like a dick, like “Our team doctors haven’t clear him to begin a rehab assignment yet” being the best option. Instead he looks like a dick.

I’ll be interested to see how the Yankees respond. Whether or not they’re tired of A-Rod is irrelevant; his comments were uncalled for and will only fuel the “Cut A-Rod!” rally.

Cashman is the singlemost overrated GM in baseball. He has no right to call out a player in the press.
His obsession with over-the-hill veterans has set the Yankees back. Truth be known, he’s overdue to be fired anyway.

Practically the first thing I ever learned when becoming a publicist is that there is no such thing as “off the record.” If you are talking to a reporter, anything you say can be used as an interview. I’ve had that happen to me more than once, where off the cuffs remarks that I thought were insubstantial became quoted later on. Got me in trouble a couple of times, in fact.

What’s lost in all of this is MLB’s approval and encouragement for players to use social media as a way to promote the game.

Alex Rodriguez was only sharing happy news on his progress. And Cashman took the opportunity to publicly blast him for it. STFU may have been motivated by the controversies surrounding Alex, but it is still inappropriate and inexcusable.

Dude has been doing nothing but cashing big checks and making the franchise look bad for a long time.

He’s also been, by far, the best player on the Yankees since he came over in ’03, and has received nothing but shit from fans like you. Maybe some of you can shut up and appreciate what he’s done for the franchise, like mentor all the young players, move off his preferred position for an inferior player without so much as a peep, and sit there and take the abuse without one complaint.